Chapter 235 - Meet JoAnna (4)

When they reached in front of her apartment, JoAnna's hands were shaking, and she had difficulty putting the key into the keyhole.

Jeff covered her hand with his.

"Allow me.", his deep steady voice comforted her, letting her know that he will take care of it.

Jeff did his best not to show how troubled he is to see her in such a state. He took the key from her hand and unlocked the door.

She entered first and he followed, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a second, thinking if he should lock the door or not, and decided to lock it.

JoAnna entered second room to the right and he followed.

Jeff stopped at the door when he realized that he is facing the bedroom. Did she want him to follow inside, after her? He watched her from the doorstep, as she went straight for the bed and laid down. After few seconds she lifted her head and looked at him.

Jeff was conflicted. Without JoAnna saying anything, how is he supposed to know what she wants?

"Come here", her voice was hoarse, and he found a relief that she finally spoke.

He walked to the bed and stood next to it. She extended her arm toward him, and when they touched, her fingers wrapped around his, pulling him down for a split second before letting go.

Jeff laid down on the bed, and his body was stiff. What exactly did she want? Millions of options flew through his mind, but he could not be certain of any, not without her saying it... and he didn't dare to move. He didn't want to scare her, she looked fragile like a bubble made out of soap.

...

When she entered her apartment, JoAnna could only think of going to sleep. She was exhausted after a night shift, and the incident with Dr. Light drained her completely. She wanted to sleep. Sleep made things better. When she wakes up, everything will be better. She threw herself on the bed, without any strength to shower or change clothes. JoAnna looked at the door and saw Jeff there. 'He must be exhausted as well. He was in Fairfield last night, and if he drove here, he didn't get much sleep.' "Come here", her voice came out much hoarser than what she thought it will be. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry.

JoAnna looked at Jeff towering above her. She found it amusing that a man like Jeff can be so tense, but she was unable to smile. JoAnna saw him as a handsome, confident, well accomplished man. What reason would he have to be tense?

JoAnna extended her arm towards him and pulled on his fingers indicating to him to come to bed.

She watched him slowly place his body on the bed and she felt the need to hold onto him. He made her feel safe, and she needed that feeling of safety now. But JoAnna didn't dare to ask for more than this. She reached out her hand and clutched edge of his jacket which rested on the bed next to her. That will need to suffice, for now. She closed her eyes and immediately drifted off to sleep.

...

It took Jeff some time to gather courage to look toward JoAnna. When his eyes landed on her face, he held his breath. 'She is so beautiful.' It took him few seconds to realize that she is sleeping. That gave him courage to look at her more closely. Her breathing was steady, and he observed that her right hand was clutching the edge of his jacket. He smiled at the thought that she didn't want him to leave, 'That is why she is holding onto my jacket, right?'

Jeff pulled out his phone and texted his assistant: "Clear my schedule for the day. I'm taking a day off." He turned off his phone and kept it back in his pocket.

Jeff carefully shifted his body lower, so that his head is on the pillow more comfortably and gently took her right hand in his. He slowly pried open her fingers, one by one, releasing his jacked out of her grip. When all her fingers extended and his jacket was free, he put his palm into hers, and she reflexively grasped it in her sleep. Jeff inhaled and held his breath. Her hand was warm, and soft. His thumb slowly moved caressing the back of her palm, her hand seemed so small compared to his. Jeff realized that his heart is racing again. He is in the bed, next to JoAnna, holding her hand... and he can see her sleeping face. He observed her lips, her straight nose, long eyelashes, perfect eyebrows... 'So beautiful...'

He inched closer and took a deep breath. Her scent ran through his nostrils and filled him up. He smiled.

Jeff is not sure at what point he slept off.

...

When JoAnna opened her eyes, she was facing Jeff's face. She was startled for a moment and held her breath. It took her few seconds to remember what happened that morning and how she ended up in this situation. Now, after a good sleep, all what happened with Dr. Light seems like a distant, unpleasant memory.

JoAnna blinked few times and her eyes focused on Jeff's sleeping face. She remembers this face as more cold, tense, frustrated. And now it's relaxed. His expression from that morning, in the car came to her mind, his smile... 'When he smiles, he is very charming.'

She blinked few more times while trying to grasp the fact that she is in the bed, next to Jeffrey White… who is sleeping. Right next to her.

JoAnna realized that her right hand feels much warmer than the rest of her body. She looked down toward it and her eyes widened in surprise. She is holding hands with Jeff! How did this happen? She tried to remember but could only think of reaching for his jacket. 'Well, never mind. I don't mind holding his hand... it feels very good, actually. Warm and gentle.' He stirred in his sleep. JoAnna panicked. 'If he wakes up and sees that we are holding hands... it will be embarrassing!' When JoAnna thought about embarrassing, memories of the night when she ended up in his hotel room came to her mind. 'Oh... my... God...!' How on earth can she ever face this man? She needs to disappear... quickly! Before he wakes up! JoAnna carefully wiggled her hand out of his and got out of the bed with a thought of fleeing. Then she looked around and froze. This is her place. Where will she flee? She will need to face him when he wakes up... face her embarrassment. She will apologize, make some sacrificial offerings and hope that he will forgive her shamelessness from that evening. Ideally, he will forget about that night.

JoAnna looked at herself and realized that she needs to freshen up. She went to take a shower. Shower helps her think.